Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have beneficial effects on visceral fat in diet-induced obesity model.

This study evaluated the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on oxidative stress and energy metabolism parameters in the visceral fat of a high-fat-diet induced obesity model. Energy intake, body mass, and visceral fat mass were also evaluated. Male Swiss mice received either a control diet (control group) or a high-fat diet (obese group) for 6 weeks. After this period, the groups were divided into control + saline, control + omega-3, obese + saline, and obese + omega-3, and to these groups 400 mg·(kg body mass)-1·day-1 of fish oil (or saline) was administered orally, for 4 weeks. Energy intake and body mass were monitored throughout the experiment. In the 10th week, the animals were euthanized and the visceral fat (mesenteric) was removed. Treatment with omega-3 PUFAs did not affect energy intake or body mass, but it did reduced visceral fat mass. In visceral fat, omega-3 PUFAs reduced oxidative damage and alleviated changes to the antioxidant defense system and the Krebs cycle. The mitochondrial respiratory chain was neither altered by obesity nor by omega-3 PUFAs. In conclusion, omega-3 PUFAs have beneficial effects on the visceral fat of obese mice because they mitigate changes caused by the consumption of a high-fat diet.

Single dose and repeated administrations of liraglutide alter energy metabolism in the brains of young and adult rats.

Liraglutide is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that was recently approved to treat obesity in some countries. Considering that liraglutide effects on brain energy metabolism are little known, we evaluated the effects of liraglutide on the energy metabolism. Animals received a single or daily injection of saline or liraglutide during 7 days (25, 50, 100, or 300 µg/kg i.p.). Twenty-four hours after the single or last injection, the rats were euthanized and the hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum, and posterior cortex were isolated. Our results demonstrated that a single dose of liraglutide in young rats increased the activity of complexes and inhibited creatine kinase activity. Repeated administrations of liraglutide in young rats reduced the activity of complexes and activated creatine kinase activity. In adult rats, a single dose of liraglutide reduced the activity of complex I and creatine kinase and increased the activity of complexes II and IV. Repeated administrations of liraglutide in adult rats increased the activity of complexes I and IV and reduced the activity of complex II and creatine kinase. We concluded that liraglutide may interfere in energy metabolism, because analysis of different times of administrations, concentrations, and level of brain development leads to divergent results.

Effect of subchronic administration of agomelatine on brain energy metabolism and oxidative stress parameters in rats.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of subchronic administration of agomelatine on energy metabolism, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defense in the brains of rats. METHODS: The animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of agomelatine (10, 30 or 50 mg/kg) or saline for 14 days. The prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum and posterior cortex were analyzed. RESULTS: The findings showed that complex I was activated in the prefrontal cortex, cerebellum and striatum and inhibited in the posterior cortex at the 10-mg/kg dose, and inhibited in all brain areas analyzed at the 30-mg/kg and 50-mg/kg doses. Complex II was activated in the posterior cortex at the 50-mg/kg dose. Complex IV was inhibited in the striatum and posterior cortex at the 10-mg/kg dose, inhibited in the striatum at the 30-mg/kg dose and activated in the hippocampus at the 50-mg/kg dose. Creatine kinase activity was inhibited in the striatum at the 10-mg/kg and 30-mg/kg doses. Lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation levels were not changed after the administration of agomelatine. Superoxide dismutase activity was increased in the striatum at the 10-mg/kg dose, and catalase activity was inhibited in the cerebellum at the 10-mg/kg dose and increased in the posterior cortex at the 30-mg/kg dose. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with other studies showing that some antidepressants may influence brain energy metabolism and oxidative stress parameters and expand knowledge about the effects of agomelatine in biochemical parameters in the brains of rats.

Effects of omega-3 on behavioral and biochemical parameters in rats submitted to chronic mild stress.

Major depression is a heterogeneous psychiatric disorder whose pathophysiology is not clearly established yet. Some studies have shown that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are involved in the development of major depression. Since most depressed patients do not achieve complete remission of symptoms, new therapeutic alternatives are needed and omega-3 has been highlighted in this scenario. Therefore, we have investigated the effects of omega-3 on behavioral and biochemical parameters in rats submitted to chronic mild stress (CMS). Male Wistar rats were submitted to CMS for 40 days. After the CMS period, we administered a 500 mg/kg dose of omega-3 orally, once a day, for 7 days. The animals submitted to CMS presented anhedonia, had no significant weight gain, presented increased levels of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, and inhibition of complex I and IV activities of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The treatment with omega-3 did not reverse anhedonia; however, it reversed weight change, increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation levels, and partially reversed the inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. The findings support studies that state that major depression is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, and that omega-3 supplementation could reverse some of these changes, probably due to its antioxidant properties.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Attenuate Brain Alterations in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Model.

This study evaluated the effects of omega-3 on inflammation, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism parameters in the brain of mice subjected to high-fat diet-induced obesity model. Body weight and visceral fat weight were evaluated as well. Male Swiss mice were divided into control (purified low-fat diet) and obese (purified high-fat diet). After 6 weeks, the groups were divided into control + saline, control + omega-3, obese + saline, and obese + OMEGA-3. Fish oil (400 mg/kg/day) or saline solution was administrated orally, during 4 weeks. When the experiment completed 10 weeks, the animals were euthanized and the brain and visceral fat were removed. The brain structures (hypothalamus, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and striatum) were isolated. Treatment with omega-3 had no effect on body weight, but reduced the visceral fat. Obese animals showed increased inflammation, increased oxidative damage, decreased antioxidant enzymes activity and levels, changes in the Krebs cycle enzyme activities, and inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in the brain structures. Omega-3 treatment partially reversed the changes in the inflammatory and in the oxidative damage parameters and attenuated the alterations in the antioxidant defense and in the energy metabolism (Krebs cycle and mitochondrial respiratory chain). Omega-3 had a beneficial effect on the brain of obese animals, as it partially reversed the changes caused by the consumption of a high-fat diet and consequent obesity. Our results support studies that indicate omega-3 may contribute to obesity treatment.

USE OF DRUGS IN CHILDREN AGED ZERO TO FIVE YEARS OLD IN TUBARÃO, SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL. / USO DE MEDICAMENTOS EM CRIANÇAS DE ZERO A CINCO ANOS DE IDADE RESIDENTES NO MUNICÍPIO DE TUBARÃO, SANTA CATARINA.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the context of drug use in children aged zero to five years old. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on interviews conducted at home with caregivers (parents, uncles or grandparents) of the children enrolled in ten Family Health Strategy units across different geographical points of the city of Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 350 caregivers were interviewed, whose children's mean age was 2.6 years. Of these, 56.9% had used at least one drug in the 15 days prior to the interview, 31.1% had been exposed to self-medication and 35.7% had used at least one medication obtained by current prescription. The use of medication was associated with the age range up to 24 months, periodic consultation with pediatricians and diagnosis of chronic and acute diseases. Among medicated children, 19.1% inappropriately had been exposed to at least one medication (considering dose, dose interval or period of treatment). Regarding medication storage, 55.2% of interviewees stored them in unsafe places that could be accessed by children and 32.0% in inappropriate places, with exposure to light, heat or humidity. Moreover, 45.2% of the interviewees stored drugs out of their packages, 38.9% without secondary packaging, and 1.6% of drugs had expired date. CONCLUSIONS: Drug use is high among children in this age range, and actions aimed at the safe and rational use of these substances in this population should be encouraged.

OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil de utilização de medicamentos em crianças de zero a cinco anos de idade. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal baseado em entrevistas realizadas em domicílio com cuidadores (pais, tios ou avós) das crianças cadastradas em dez unidades de Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), distribuídas em diferentes pontos geográficos do município de Tubarão, Santa Catarina. RESULTADOS: Foram entrevistados 350 cuidadores, cujas crianças sorteadas possuíam, em média, 2,6 anos de idade. Destas, 56,9% utilizaram, pelo menos, um medicamento nos 15 dias anteriores à entrevista, sendo que 31,1% foram expostas à automedicação e 35,7% utilizaram, pelo menos, um medicamento obtido por prescrição atual. O uso de medicamentos foi associado à faixa etária de até 24 meses, consulta periódica com pediatra e diagnóstico de doenças agudas e doenças crônicas. Entre as crianças medicadas, 19,1% foram expostas a pelo menos um medicamento de forma inadequada (considerando dose, intervalo entre doses ou período de tratamento). Quanto ao armazenamento, 55,2% dos medicamentos estavam guardados em lugar inseguro, ou seja, ao acesso das crianças, e 32,0% em locais inadequados, por estarem expostos a luz, calor ou umidade. Ainda, 45,2% estavam sem bula, 38,9% sem embalagem secundária e 1,6% fora do prazo de validade. CONCLUSÕES: As crianças estudadas apresentam uma frequência elevada de uso de medicamentos, devendo ser incentivadas ações que visem ao uso seguro e racional de fármacos nessa população.

Uso de medicamentos em crianças de zero a cinco anos de idade residentes no município de tubarão, santa catarina / Use of drugs in children aged zero to five years old in tubarão, santa catarina, brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o perfil de utilização de medicamentos em crianças de zero a cinco anos de idade. Métodos: Estudo transversal baseado em entrevistas realizadas em domicílio com cuidadores (pais, tios ou avós) das crianças cadastradas em dez unidades de Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), distribuídas em diferentes pontos geográficos do município de Tubarão, Santa Catarina. Resultados: Foram entrevistados 350 cuidadores, cujas crianças sorteadas possuíam, em média, 2,6 anos de idade. Destas, 56,9% utilizaram, pelo menos, um medicamento nos 15 dias anteriores à entrevista, sendo que 31,1% foram expostas à automedicação e 35,7% utilizaram, pelo menos, um medicamento obtido por prescrição atual. O uso de medicamentos foi associado à faixa etária de até 24 meses, consulta periódica com pediatra e diagnóstico de doenças agudas e doenças crônicas. Entre as crianças medicadas, 19,1% foram expostas a pelo menos um medicamento de forma inadequada (considerando dose, intervalo entre doses ou período de tratamento). Quanto ao armazenamento, 55,2% dos medicamentos estavam guardados em lugar inseguro, ou seja, ao acesso das crianças, e 32,0% em locais inadequados, por estarem expostos a luz, calor ou umidade. Ainda, 45,2% estavam sem bula, 38,9% sem embalagem secundária e 1,6% fora do prazo de validade. Conclusões: As crianças estudadas apresentam uma frequência elevada de uso de medicamentos, devendo ser incentivadas ações que visem ao uso seguro e racional de fármacos nessa população.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the context of drug use in children aged zero to five years old. Methods: Cross-sectional study based on interviews conducted at home with caregivers (parents, uncles or grandparents) of the children enrolled in ten Family Health Strategy units across different geographical points of the city of Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Results: A total of 350 caregivers were interviewed, whose children's mean age was 2.6 years. Of these, 56.9% had used at least one drug in the 15 days prior to the interview, 31.1% had been exposed to self-medication and 35.7% had used at least one medication obtained by current prescription. The use of medication was associated with the age range up to 24 months, periodic consultation with pediatricians and diagnosis of chronic and acute diseases. Among medicated children, 19.1% inappropriately had been exposed to at least one medication (considering dose, dose interval or period of treatment). Regarding medication storage, 55.2% of interviewees stored them in unsafe places that could be accessed by children and 32.0% in inappropriate places, with exposure to light, heat or humidity. Moreover, 45.2% of the interviewees stored drugs out of their packages, 38.9% without secondary packaging, and 1.6% of drugs had expired date. Conclusions: Drug use is high among children in this age range, and actions aimed at the safe and rational use of these substances in this population should be encouraged.